Power plant carbon emission standards

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has undertaken several rulemakings regulating carbon emissions from power plants under two sections of the Clean Air Act (CAA).

Section 111(b) is a federal program that establishes emissions standards for new, modified and reconstructed stationary sources.

Section 111(d) is a state based program for existing stationary sources where EPA establishes guidelines and the states design programs to achieve the needed emissions reductions.

Existing power plants

Advance notice of proposed rulemaking (December 2017)

On December 28, 2017, in an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM), EPA described how it was considering proposing emission guidelines to limit greenhouse gas emissions from electric utility generating units (EGUs) in light of the agency's proposed repeal of the Clean Power Plan final rule.

Final EPA rule (August 2015)

The EPA's regulation of carbon emissions from existing fossil-fuel power plants is known as the Clean Power Plan. The EPA finalized the Clean Power Plan on August 3, 2015, but proposed repealing the rule on October 16, 2017. Information about EPA's actions related to the Clean Power Plan can be found on EPA's website [exit DNR].

On December 22, 2015, DNR and the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW) requested that EPA reconsider its final rule.

In the final rule, EPA introduced the Clean Energy Incentive Program (CEIP), an optional program that states may use to incentivize early investments in wind and solar power generation, as well as energy efficiency measures in low-income communities. On December 15, 2015, DNR and PSCW submitted comments to EPA on the CEIP.

New, modified and reconstructed power plants

Final EPA rule (August 2015)

On August 3, 2015, EPA finalized standards to reduce carbon emissions from new, modified and reconstructed power plants. These standards apply to new sources built after January 8, 2014, and existing units that are modified or reconstructed as defined by the Clean Air Act and implementing regulations. The EPA established separate standards for two types of fossil-fuel fired sources:

stationary combustion turbines, which are generally fueled by natural gas; and